Purni Morell to step down as Unicorn Theatre artistic director

Purni Morell is to step down as artistic director of the Unicorn Theatre. She will leave the London children’s theatre in spring 2018 after six and a half years leading the company.

Announcing her departure, she said: “I am incredibly proud to have been a part of this extraordinary theatre and of what we have been able to do here. It has been rewarding, exciting and challenging in equal measure.”

She said she felt it was time to let “new ideas and new ambitions” into the theatre, which will have produced and presented 140 productions under her tenure by May next year.

Unicorn chair John Langley said Morell had expanded the idea of what a repertoire for young people could be, and had provided audiences with “shows that have challenged and delighted in equal measure”.

The theatre will shortly begin the search for a new artistic director, who will work alongside chief executive Anneliese Davidsen.